Are RHD and LHD Tacho Cables the same length?

[jedwards]

I have an early 250SL and the rubber flexible coupling on the tacho end of my cable has broken, leaving me with no alternative other than to replace it.
I see plenty of cables on Ebay which are 1300mm in length, but are the Left and Right Drive cables the same length?   Because they route quite differently I would expect to see longer cables on RHD cars, but I cannot see any specifically for  RHD cars.  I have not pulled mine out as yet as I was hoping to remove and refit in the same process.

Also, mine is a very tight fit, with only an inch or so of spare length, making it very hard to fit. I was thinking about having one made a few inches longer by one of the good cable makers here is Ozz, and I was hoping that someone might have had some experience in this or could tell me what to order in the way of end connections.

Hope you can help



 

[Garry]

Different but available from SLS

See here

http://www.sls-hh-shop.de/en/230-280SL-W113/54-Elektrical-Equipment-at-Body/54-a-Instruments/

[Flyair]

Different but available from SLS

See here

http://www.sls-hh-shop.de/en/230-280SL-W113/54-Elektrical-Equipment-at-Body/54-a-Instruments/

Garry,
These cables are evidenced by SLS, but marked as unavailable. Fortunately, SLS shows civilized manners in such a case and for unavailable items provides the MB reference, which usually greatly facilitates further searches..

[georgem]

My cable broke a couple of months ago and rather than buy a new one I had Otto instruments over here in Brisbane make me a new one - and as you suggested I had them make it about 200mm longer than the old one - made the reinstall much easier (although that term is relative of course when dealing with the world of doom behind the dashboard).  Cost about $100 and took them a couple of days.

Cheers

[jedwards]

Thanks for all the help.
George, what length did you get your made to?

[georgem]

I didn`t bother measuring it - just got them to make me a new one 200mm longer than the old - this gave a nice curve where the cable left the gear box and enough slack to play with at the speedo. Even if you went to 300mm, you couldn`t go wrong as it tucks away under the dash.  They re-used my end fittings as they didn`t have any.

[Garry]

George,

Not only is there a difference left to right but I think also from manual to auto.  Maybe you need to take the car to the cable maker and get then to measure and make. There should be one in WA.

[jedwards]

After a pretty comprehensive search I cannot find a single supplier anywhere who has stock of the 113 542 0807 cable which SLS  designates for the RHD car.

There are lots of  0707 cables advertised which are 1300mm long abut does anyone know how long the Tacho cable for RHD vehicle should be?
Perhaps they are interchangeable?

[georgem]

My guess would be that they are different. Both the Tach and Speedo cables pass through the firewall on the passengers side( for cars with steering on the correct side!!!!) which would put them directly behind the instrument binacle for LHD cards. For RHD, the cables have to then pass along the firewall, behind the radio and then into either the speedo or tach. ie RHD must  be longer.

I realise you want to get the pain over an done in one hit but I think your best bet is to make sure you know how much you want to add to the cable, remove the cable and get another one made. This of course means that the car will be off the road for a week or so.

 I`d recommend Otto over here  (Google Lionel Otto Instrument Repair) if there isn`t anywhere over your way. Happy for you to send it to me and I will take it to Otto if you wish although I would be comfortable mailing it to him from afar.

[jedwards]

Thanks George, that sounds like very sensible advice.

[jedwards]

Hi George
I ended up taking to Joe at Autocables in Melbourne, who used to make these replacement cables for Mercedes Australia.
He has all the original factory specifications and has no trouble making a 113 542 0807 cable with an extra 200mm on its length, all for under $100.

[Garry]

That is very handy information for us east coasters.  Glad you were able to get one made to the correct length.

Garry

[georgem]

Ahh............ good to hear of a happy ending...and I`ll bite my tongue and make no comment re the quality of one made in Melbourne as opposed to a Brisbane one.